The clocks go back this Sunday, 25 October, and almost overnight it’ll be dark before most of us have left work or the school gates. I’ve trained in martial arts since 1989 and founded Wing Chun Halesowen in 2013, and I see the same thing every autumn. When the light goes and the temperature drops, the sofa starts to look very persuasive. Yet the winter months are one of the best times of year to keep your training going, or to start.
Why winter is when people drift, and why it’s worth pushing through
Heading out on a cold, dark evening takes more effort than a light summer one. That’s why winter is usually when training starts to slide. One missed week becomes two, and the plan quietly becomes “I’ll pick it back up in the spring”.
The trouble is that Wing Chun skill is built on consistency, not bursts. The students who keep turning up through November and December are the ones who walk into the new year noticeably sharper, because they didn’t spend three months rebuilding what they’d lost. Our full-time indoor training centre at Eagle Trading Estate on Stourbridge Road is a bright, purposeful space to step into when it’s grim outside, and an hour of training does wonders for the winter gloom. If you want to know how many sessions a week make a real difference, our guide on how often to train Wing Chun is a good place to start.
Treat class as a fixed appointment and pack your bag in the morning
The easiest way to beat the urge to skip is to take the decision away from your tired, end-of-day self. If you get home, sit down and then ask whether you fancy training, the sofa wins nearly every time.
- Pack your kit in the morning. Put your training clothes together before you leave the house and leave the bag by the door or in the car.
- Put class in your diary. Treat it like any other appointment you wouldn’t cancel on a whim.
- Go straight there. Avoid the “just five minutes” sit-down between work and training. It’s rarely five minutes.
Arrive warm and warm up properly
When it’s cold, your body takes a little longer to get ready to move. Turning up stiff and shivering makes it harder to settle into good stance work and relaxed partner drills.
Wear comfortable training clothes and add an extra layer, such as a hoodie or a long-sleeved top, for the journey in. Our post on dressing for winter training has more ideas. Once you’re inside, use the warm-up properly: loosen the joints and get the blood moving before we work on forms such as Siu Nim Tao, partner drills and, for adults, applications, where you practise applying Wing Chun techniques with a partner.
A steady routine helps children through the darker weeks
Children feel the change in season too. When it’s dark by teatime, having a regular, positive activity in the week makes a real difference to their energy and mood.
Our kids’ class for ages 5 to 11 runs Monday to Friday, 6:00pm to 6:55pm. For a lot of families that fits neatly after school and tea, without running late into the evening. There’s a parents’ viewing area inside the centre, so you can sit and watch rather than wait in the car. Keeping that 6 o’clock slot gives children something familiar to look forward to right through the winter.
If you’re walking or travelling to and from class in the dark, our practical awareness tips for dark autumn evenings are worth a read for the whole family.
On nights you can’t make it, do five minutes at home
Even with the best plans, there’ll be the odd night when the weather or life gets in the way. That doesn’t mean training has to stop.
Five or ten minutes in the living room is enough to keep the thread going. Run through Siu Nim Tao slowly, paying attention to your posture, or hold your basic stance and focus on staying relaxed. Small, regular efforts at home make it much easier to step back into class next time, rather than feeling like you’re starting again.
Come and train with us this winter
Whether you want to keep a routine going or start something new as the nights draw in, you’re very welcome. Adults’ classes (from age 12, no parent needed) run Monday to Thursday, 7:15pm to 8:15pm, and Friday, 7:05pm to 8:05pm, alongside the children’s classes at 6:00pm. You can see everything we offer on our Wing Chun classes in Halesowen page.
Your first class is a free trial. Book your free trial class here, or phone, text or WhatsApp me on 07821 126 685. Bring comfortable clothes and an extra layer, and come and see what we do.
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